8 hours ago
(Yesterday, 07:55 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: It's probably a pretty hard thing to define, as a whole, though we all know it when we see it.
Still, it should be relatively simple to identify a few, specific "don'ts" that could be clearly policed. Will that actually make a noticeable impact on what the league perceives to be "the problem?" No idea, but probably not.
To me, they need to reduce salaries paid directly to players, especially the Max and SuperMax contracts. Then amp up the reward system for where a team finishes and how far it goes in the playoffs. Currently there is $36M allocated for finish and playoff bonuses. Significant, but not really meaningful for starter-level players. If OKC repeats winning the championship they only net $12.8M, which is $854k per player, assuming 15 players. Less if you include 2-ways, coaches and staff. Significant to end-of-bench players, but not so much to the top 7-8 who really determine how the team performs.
2026 NBA Playoff Pool
Team Share
Best Record in NBA $896,000
Best Record in Conference $784,000 each
2nd Best Record in Conference $628,000 each
3rd Best Record in Conference $471,000 each
4th Best Record in Conference $384,000 each
5th Best Record in Conference $297,000 each
6th Best Record in Conference $210,000 each
Teams in First Round $481,000 each
Teams in Conference Semifinals $586,000 each
Teams in Conference Finals $980,000 each
Losing Team in NBA Finals $3,921,000
Winning Team in NBA Finals $9,078,000
Total Playoff Pool $35,740,000
Numbers are rounded to the nearest $1,000.
Table: Lev AkabasSource: NBA00
I also have thoughts on lowering the cap/aprons to reduce hoarding of talent or limit their ability to sign new talent, like FRPs. Also make the cap compliance deadline just after the TDL, not at the end of the contract year, then you can't run high all season and dive under after the playoffs.
I know these are unreasonable, mostly affect players and would likely never get by CBA negotiations It's got to hit them in the bank account to get their attention and tanking would be messing with their money and pissing off the talent is NOT what most teams want to do.
OK, done for now, just was on my mind driving in to work today.